The Mitchells & Butlers Charitable Trusts

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £94,570 (2024)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: Birmingham and Smethwick (external applicants with hardship cases)
• Beneficiary Types: Primarily employees and children of Mitchells & Butlers; limited external individual grants

Contact Details

Email: charitable.trusts@mbplc.com

Phone: 0121 498 6514

Website: www.mbtrusts.co.uk (certificate issues reported)

Overview

The Mitchells & Butlers Charitable Trusts is an educational grant-making charity established to support educational advancement. With an annual income of £113,257 and expenditure of £94,570 in 2024, the trust focuses on education/training and the prevention or relief of poverty. The charity operates multiple funds, with the M&B Education Fund being the primary programme. Established in 1954, this fund primarily serves employees and children of Mitchells & Butlers, with limited access for external applicants who are residents of Birmingham or Smethwick and can demonstrate financial hardship.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

• Education and training support for Further Education (e.g. A Level, Diploma, BTEC)
• Higher Education support (e.g. Degree Level)
• Prevention or relief of poverty through educational advancement
• Note: Applications for Master's or higher level courses are not considered

Beneficiary Groups

• Primary beneficiaries: Employees and children of Mitchells & Butlers, and 'successors in business' of the company
• External applicants: Birmingham and Smethwick residents who demonstrate hardship

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be 16 years or over
• Must be a UK resident
• Course of education/study must be undertaken in the United Kingdom
• Must be undertaking Further Education or Higher Education (Master's and higher level courses not eligible)
• External applicants must live in the Birmingham and Smethwick area and demonstrate financial hardship

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Governance and Leadership

The trust operates with 2 trustees who receive no remuneration for their services. The charity has been registered since April 7, 2008, and maintains its registration with the Charity Commission.

How to Apply to The Mitchells & Butlers Charitable Trusts

How to Apply

Applicants must fulfil the eligibility criteria and complete an application form which includes assessment of financial circumstances. Specific application procedures are not publicly documented. Interested applicants should contact the trust directly via:

• Email: charitable.trusts@mbplc.com
• Phone: 0121 498 6514

Getting on Their Radar

Potential applicants should:

• Verify eligibility (employee/family connection OR Birmingham/Smethwick residency with demonstrable hardship)
• Contact the trust directly via the provided email or phone number
• Clearly demonstrate Birmingham or Smethwick residency (for external applicants)
• Emphasise educational objectives and outcomes
• Be prepared to provide financial information demonstrating hardship (for external applicants)
• Ensure the proposed course is Further or Higher Education level (not Master's or above)
• Confirm the course will be undertaken in the United Kingdom

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This fund primarily serves Mitchells & Butlers employees and their families
• External access is very limited - restricted to Birmingham/Smethwick residents with demonstrable financial hardship
• Only Further Education and Higher Education supported (no Master's or higher level courses)
• Applicants must be 16+ and UK residents studying in the UK
• Direct contact via email or phone appears to be the primary application method
• The trust operates with minimal public visibility but maintains active grant-making activities
• Annual grant expenditure of approximately £94,570 suggests multiple grants are made each year
• Application includes financial assessment

References

• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/528922
• M&B Education Fund website: http://www.mbtrusts.co.uk/EducationFund.html
• Financial information from Charity Commission Annual Returns (Year ending April 5, 2024)